"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
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May has been a wild and marvelous month. Sweet Mister whisked me away to Italy for a magical journey to Florence, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, and Rome. It was a dream trip from beginning to end. I did think of my wonderful blog friends, and I made an effort to find tablescapes in each city to share with you. In addition to a few of my favorite shots captured as we explored each day, I want to treat you to a peak at some of the Tables of Florence, Italy.
Probably dating from Roman times, Ponte Vecchio, "The Old Bridge", the oldest of Florence's six bridges, is one of the city's best known images.
Just one of the local churches that we happened to enter...Santa Maria del Carmine. Does the ceiling of your church look like this? Ours doesn't.
A small outdoor cafe for a glass of Italian vino...tranquil...charming...perfect for a restful break after miles of walking. We averaged 7 - 8 miles each day. Even with the amazing food, I lost 2 1/2 pounds on our trip! Woohoo!
Trattoria del Carmine, was recommended by a friend who used to live in Florence. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
The evening was cooling quickly, so we opted for an inside table...good choice.
An opening course of prosciutto ...I said that I was going to share with the table...but I ate every delicious bite! Grilled shrimp was the main course...best I've ever tasted.
Loggia dei Lanzi, or Loggia della Signoria, adjoins the Uffizi Gallery.
Galleria dell'Accademia, Firenze
Palazzo Pitti
Another day of visiting amazing historical places...
with stops in between for lunch...
...and dinner at Camillo's.
One thing I realized while traveling through Italy...Europeans don't drive those little cars to save on gasoline consumption. They drive those little bitty cars because nothing else will fit down those centuries old...incredibly narrow streets! They would have to drive those tiny cars if gasoline was still
$ .25 per gallon. Most of the streets are one way because they'll only accommodate one lane of even these miniature cars. It's nuts! There are a gazillion mortorcycles. The guides refer to the cyclists as 'mosquitos' and dislike them intensely.
$ .25 per gallon. Most of the streets are one way because they'll only accommodate one lane of even these miniature cars. It's nuts! There are a gazillion mortorcycles. The guides refer to the cyclists as 'mosquitos' and dislike them intensely.
Around almost any corner you can find a charming outdoor cafe...
...with amazing vistas of Florence.
Our last night in Florence, we dined al fresco at Trattoria Pallottino, a delightful restaurant...
...that just happened to be located right next door...
...to the best gelati shop in Florence, Il Gelato Vivoli. Oh my...so delicious! A perfect end to a perfect day...tomorrow we head for Sorrento and the Amalfi coast.
I hope that you have a trip to Italy in your future. Thanks for letting me share a few moments of our amazing adventure.
Living vicariously...that's one of the joys of The Tablescaper's "Oh the Places I've Been #3". Travel on over! You don't even have to pack a bag or endure the hassel of the airport!
You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube. I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen. You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site. The girl can really write! Her latest CD is called "The Tag Hollow Sessions"" It is available on iTunes or through her website. I hope that you'll give her music a chance. I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!
You lucky girl! We traveled to Florence and parts of Tuscany in 1999. Would love to travel to the Amalfi Coast and to Rome. Thanks for sharing your beautiful images to take us along. Looks like a fabulous trip. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteWe were in Tuscany and Venice in February. This fall we go back to Italy and visit Sorrento where we'll stay a week and Poisitano where we'll spend another week. I'll have a kitchen -- I can cook all that amazing food we see at the Farmer's Market! Italy is wonderful and the food is amazing. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI remember Florence from when I was a little girl! What a beautiful city, especially when you are whisked off! Looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing!! xo marlis
ReplyDeleteFlorence was a city we missed on our trip to Italy. There was a hugh accident on the highway and couldn't get through that day. Looks like it is so gorgeous and the outdoor dining we did enjoy all through Italy. You really captured the "feeling" of the city.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Your post brought back wonderful memories to me of Florence! I've also visited Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. I'm fortunate, as my husband was born in Italy and still ahs many relatives that live there so we've traveled all around the entire country.
ReplyDeleteI loved your tour through Italy and I would love to go there. Maybe, someday.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip that must have been! The street-side markets, the restaurants, the smells and the sounds - there is nowhere on earth quite like it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip! so many incredible places. Such great food!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you be a part of "Oh, the PLACES I have been!"
- The Tablescaper
What lovely photos. I truly enjoyed the tour. Florence is on my bucket list but thank you for bringing me there. It looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are fabulous and you look fabulous, Cherry Kay. I love Europe, I love the architecture and your pictures made me miss it.....Christine
ReplyDeleteOh, what an awesome trip! I dream of going to Italy someday, but.....haven't made it yet. Thanks for taking us on the trip with you. And thanks for visiting 20 North Ora.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Hi cherry Kay,
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos, and what a fun
place to visit, I'm sure. One of the things I love about europe is that they are never in a rush and take their time with meals. Such a totally different atmosphere than here in the U.S......we loved that
when we lived in Germany, but have to say it took a lil getting used to
when you went someplace like a pizza parlor and were kind of expecting fast food. There is no
such thing as fast food there, course, that was over 40 years ago so may have changed some.......
Their culture and lifestyle is so
family and friend and food based,
I love that..........
as well as such grand scenery....
thanks for your visit and sweet
comments, Glad you had this fun
and unexpected adventure.
Blessings, Nellie
So exciting. I love your pics of the places you visited. My husband and I are HOPING to take a trip there in September. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the inspiration. Glad you had a great trip.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, what a wonderful trip! I'm dying to go to England, but I think I may have to add Italy to my bucket list, too!
ReplyDelete